Ole E. Jorstad (1849-1929)

JORSTAD, MATHRE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/29/2025 at 13:15:12

From Eagle Grove Eagle October 10, 1929 (page 1)

Obituary of O. E. Jorstad
By Rev. Ljostveit.

Ole E. Jorstad was born in the Norstrand parish near Stavanger, Norway, Oct. 22, 1849. His parents were Erick and Bertha Jorstad. He was baptized in infancy, receiving religious instruction and was confirmed in the old home church.

In the year, 1867, at the age of 18 years, young Jorstad left the home-land and Jorstad out for America. He came to Morris, Grundy county, Ill., and made at first his home with an uncle living there, and found employment as a farm hand for some years. In 1871 he married Julia Mathre. They were married at Lisbon, Ill. by Rev. P. A. Rasmusson. At the time of Mr. Jorstad's death they had been married 58 years. They had in all 10 children.

In 1874 the Jorstad family came to Hamilton county, Iowa, where they bought land not far from Story City. In that community they lived for 45 years--until 1920 when they moved to Eagle Grove. All their children except two were born there. They joined the St. Paul Lutheran church in that community where Rev. Mickelson then was pastor. There they also were converted to God and began to confess the name of their Savior Jesus Christ. After the Jorstad family came to Eagle Grove, they joined the West Side Lutheran church.

Although old age of late had been somewhat telling on Mr. Jorstad, it was not until a week ago last Sunday, Sept. 29, when he had the misfortune of falling and spraining his back that he became seriously ill. Even after that good hopes were for a while entertained for his recovery but serious complications developed with very hard pains, proceeding from his spine. He himself seemed to realize from the first that the end was near and confessed his faith in our blessed Savior, so death had no sting for him. The end came Friday, Oct. 4 at 4:25 p. m. His age was 79 years, 11 months and 12 days.

Mr. Jorstad was preceded in death by five children of whom two had died in early infancy in Illinois, two died likewise in infancy near Story City, and one daughter, Ida, at the age of 26, died in 1920, just before the family moved to Eagle Grove.

Mr. Jorstad is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julia Jorstad and three sons and two daughters, namely, Peter of Kansas City, Kan.; Ezra (Dr. Jorstad) of Marshall, Minn., and Rebecca, Henry and Margaret at home. They all feel keenly the loss of a very dear and tender husband and father. He is also survived by two brothers, Lars of Leadville, Colo. and Amund in Norway.

Mr. Jorstad was of an unassuming, humble, quiet and kind disposition, who had love toward all and malice toward no one. He certainly will be missed by his neighbors and friends and in the church of which he was a faithful member and where his voice often was heard calling up the name of the Lord. Most of all, he no doubt will be missed in the dear family circle where he daily conducted the family devotion and by word and example pointed his dear one upward to God and Heaven.

The funeral was held Monday, Oct. 7 from the West Side Lutheran church. Rev. P. Ljostveit held the service and Tuesday from the St. Paul's Lutheran church near Story City where the departed had been a member so many years. Interment was made in the cemetery of that church.

God bless and comfort Mrs. Jorstad and children in this bereavement. May the memory of the dear departed one be of much blessing to them for time and for eternity.